“She’s very excited about staying. And she won’t get in your way or tell you when to go to bed or anything like that. I already talked to her about all of that.”

She put her half-eaten hamburger down in a manner that Bosch had come to learn meant that she was finished with her meal.

“How come she never stays over when you’re there?”

“I don’t know. But that’s not what we’re talking about.”

“Like last night. We had a great time and then you dropped her off at her house.”

“Maddie . . . that stuff’s private.”

“Whatever.”

All such conversations universally ended with whatever. Bosch looked around and tried to think of something else to talk about. He felt he had fumbled the Hannah situation.

“Why did you suddenly ask me before why I became a cop?”

She shrugged.

“I don’t know. I just wanted to know.”

He thought about that for a moment before responding.

“You know, if you’re thinking about whether it’s the right choice for you, you’ve got plenty of time.”

“I know. It’s not that.”

“And you know that I want you to do whatever you want to do in life. I want you happy and that will make me happy. Never think you have to do this for me or follow in my footsteps. It’s not about that.”

“I know, Dad. I just asked you a question, that’s all.”

He nodded.

“Okay, then. But for what it’s worth, I already know you would be a damn good cop and a damn good detective. It’s not about how you shoot, it’s about how you think and your basic understanding of fairness. You got what it takes, Mads. You just have to decide if it’s what you want. Either way, I got your back.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“And just getting back to the simulator for a second, I’m really proud of you. Not just because of the shooting. I’m talking about how cool you were, how confident you were with your commands. It was all good.”

She seemed to take the encouragement well, and then he watched the line of her mouth turn down in a frown.

“Tell that to the flight attendant,” she said.

Part Three: The Prodigal Detective

Part Three

THE PRODIGAL DETECTIVE

Chapter 26

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